Installing ceramic tile in a shower

Installing ceramic tile in a shower starts with a proper foundation. The foundation consists of WonderBoard or Durock cement board on the walls and a Shower Pan Membrane Liner in the base of the shower, if the shower floor is to be tiled too. WonderBoard or Durock cement board, also known as backerboard, are resistant to water and are ideal materials for applying ceramic tiles to high-moisture areas. Durock can be applied directly to wall studs and ceiling joists using hot-dipped galvanized nails or galvanized wood screws. Thin-set or an adhesive mortar can be applied directly on the WonderBoard or Durock cement board for attaching the ceramic tiles. However, fiberglass mesh tape should be applied over all seams and smoothed out with a latex thin-set prior to the application of ceramic tiles. If ceramic tile is desired on the floor of the shower as well, then a shower pan membrane liner should be installed prior to the installation of the WonderBoard or Durock cement board. The shower pan membrane liner is used to ensure a leak-proof shower. Shower pan membrane liners are used to funnel any water that seeps through the floor or wall grout to the shower drain below. The shower pan membrane liner is made up of a flexible type of plastic material that sits below a bed of mortar, and the tile, in the shower floor area. Prior to installing the shower pan membrane liner, the floor of the shower needs to be pre-sloped to ensure that the water will flow towards the shower drain assembly. The pre-slope is accomplished by applying a layer of mortar to the floor of the shower unit area. The layer of mortar is troweled in such as way as to create a gentle slope from the shower wall edges to the center of the shower where the drain resides. Once the pre-slope mortar has cured, the flexible shower pan membrane liner can then be installed. There are a couple of types of shower pan membrane liners on the market, with each having their own benefits. With either type of membrane, the homeowner needs to form and fold the material into the base of the shower area and secure it to the sides of the shower wall frame with staples and/or nails. In addition, an opening in the membrane should be cut out to allow the adjustable shower drain assembly to slip through. With the shower pan membrane installed, the cementitious ceramic tile backerboard can then be secured to the framed shower walls. The backerboard is a rigid material that is ideal for attaching tile in wet areas such as a shower stall. After installing the ceramic tile backerboard, a final coat of mortar needs to be applied on top of the shower pan membrane to protect it and to provide a solid base for laying the ceramic floor tile. With the final coat of mortar cured, the ceramic tile can then be installed in the shower. Once the tile and grout have been installed, the shower drain assembly should be adjusted so that the drain height sits flush with the finished ceramic tile floor. For more information on installing a shower pan membrane liner, see the Shower Pan Membrane Liner Installation EBook from HomeAdditionPlus. The Shower Pan Membrane Liner EBook will quickly teach you the step-by-step process for installing the shower pan membrane liner correctly. It includes instructions on framing the shower stall, pouring the pre-slope and shower base mortar, and installing the shower pan membrane liner.

5 Outdoor decorating tips

Spring is here and decorating is in the air. We all love putting out fresh new looks in our homes this time of year, but have you thought recently about the outside? Often we're so busy decorating or redecorating inside, we forget to do the same outside as well. So here are a few quick and easy outdoor decorating tips that will help spruce up the curb appeal of your home: 1. Paint: You can paint the entire house and trim, or simply touch up the trim alone... either way will make a huge impact on how your home looks to the passing public. 2. Porch or Patio: If you already have a porch or patio, simply putting new furniture out can make a wonderful difference in the presentation of your home. Alternatively, you can simply buy new cushions or covers for your existing patio furniture. Other quick patio spruce ups can be as simple as putting out a few flowering potted plants, adding gnomes or statues, or putting a small water fountain into the space. 3. Walkways: Having walkways outside your home add a cozy, homey and inviting feel to the overall outdoor presentation. Just a straight concrete walkway can be spruced up by putting a bit of garden bed edging along each side... putting small solar walkway lights on each side... or planting colorful annual flowers such as petunias on each side. If you don't already have a walkway and want to create one, I think the prettiest are those made of stone. Add an extra decorative touch by making the walkway curve or wind a bit to your front door instead of leading straight there. 4. Yard ornaments: These can be as simple as a small bird house, a pole mounted outdoor lantern light, or even a wheelbarrow with flowers. Putting a little something extra in your yard defines you and your tastes, plus it gives your home a more unique personality that stands out from your neighbors. 5. Flowers, Plants, Vines & Bushes: Probably the most popular way to spruce up a yard quickly is to simply put out some pretty plants, bushes, vines and flowers. Annuals are great for adding dashes of color quickly, because you can usually buy them this time of year in bloom. To get continuous color and greenery, plant some perrenials too. Then once the annuals are starting to die out, you'll have something to replace them. You'll also have the added joy of seeing the perrenials sprout again for several years to come. Would you like additional outdoor decorating tips? See the rest of this article and related resources at: diyhomedecorating/articles/2006-05/372/10-tips-for-improving-the-curb-appeal-of-your-house/

Passive and proud green energy ideas for your home

Solar energy comes from the sun. A biology class will tell you that in addition to affecting climate and weather, sunlight provides the energy that sustains most life on earth. It also can be harnessed to provide heating, lighting and electricity. Solar power has become a hot topic lately, but this technology is nothing new – Native Americans, people in China and even the early Greeks have historically turned their buildings to the sun for heat. These early architects were using what is known as passive solar energy. This technique makes the best use of regular building materials to trap heat with no additional mechanical equipment used. Floors, windows and roofs play a role in attracting (or deflecting) the sun's rays. There are a number of ways to take advantage of solar radiation, starting with the house's placement. Having the house face the equator (we'll assume we're in the Northern Hemisphere, thus the house should face south) means that it gets the day's sunlight. Window orientation is also important – for optimal efficiency, most windows should point within 30 degrees of due south. Maintaining a small percentage of north facing windows will ensure that your home is comfortable year round (and not cooking in the summer). Rock or stone tile floors and brick walls will absorb the solar radiation and continue to give off heat after the sun is gone. While common windows allow heat to escape, special windows with low-e coating, multiple panes, inert gas fill, and/or insulated frames can reduce heat loss 50 to 75 per cent. By sealing your building envelope and insulating well, you will ensure that the heat stays in the house. It can then be distributed through the house using a regular ceiling fan. Direct sunlight is not the only important light to think of when considering energy use. By using overall daylight to light a space you can cut down the need for electrical lighting and the heat that's created by it. Artificial lighting has only been the main source of illumination since the 20th century. And using natural light may have added benefits for your physical and mental health. In addition to windows, daylighting makes use of skylights, light pipes (also known as light tubes), atriums, and light shelves to illuminate the interior. This is best considered when building, but with a few small renos your house can be much brighter, naturally! Passive cooling is another way to cut your bills and become more energy efficient. This is especially useful in warmer climates, where air conditioning can be a major power consumer. Passive cooling refers to using things for shading, to absorb the heat, and goes hand in hand with passive solar energy. It can be accomplished using exterior landscaping choices – trees and other vegetation – or interior/exterior building options, such as shades, blinds or special glazing on windows. Whether you are building a new home, looking at doing some renovations or just want to cut your energy bill, passive solar energy and cooling techniques are an easy way to incorporated green ideas into your home. With the rising interest in environmental issues, they make an excellent selling feature and they'll save you money.

Have you left your bathroom go stale

The bathroom. We spend hours each day in there. We shower there. We shave there. We perform other bodily functions there. If you look at an average day we're in the bathroom several times at least. For a room that we spend so much time in how much effort do we put into decorating it? Almost none. Normally the bathroom is the very last place in the home to have any money spent on it. This is despite the fact that it may have visible water damage, a leaky sink with squeaky taps and a bath that is well past it's sell by date. Most people will quite happily leave their bathroom in a state of disrepair until they hear that guests are arriving. Panic sets in! That grubby bathroom that you don't care about may now become public knowledge. Friends and family may get to see how you "really" live. But why let your life progress to the point of utter panic - and always at the last moment. Why not spend a little money and a little time and get your bathroom in order today? You can choose to make this a DIY Project if you have any skills in that area. If not then don't take any chances by attempting the work yourself - hire a trained professional to complete your bathroom renovation for you. A word of warning though - make sure you educate yourself on the basic terminology and materials involved by reading a few home remodelling magazines or by asking friends who have completed similar redecorating projects themselves. You need to make sure the entire project is completed in as little time as possible - nothing worse than being stuck without a shower or toilet for days on end. So where do you start? Well how about expanding the bathroom itself? Is there any square footage that's not being used to its full extent? Can you knock through an existing wall and lengthen or widen your bathroom? This is the chief complaint of many home owners - that their bathroom is simply too small. Any extra space you can add to the room will benefit the entire house both in terms of usability and in overall value. If you have a large and bulky cabinet in your bathroom then replace it with a smaller model - normally these cabinets are just filled with crap you never use. If there are any shelves dotted around the room remove these also - again they're normally just used to hold old soap and shampoo that you "liberated" from that hotel room on holidays. The last step then is to make the most of your window space by replacing any old heavy curtains with small roller blinds - whatever style best suits your bathroom. Just maximize your window space by avoiding clutter. Color is very important in any bathroom. 90% of bathrooms are decorated using "cold" colours such as blue and very pale creams. Most people use blues because most bathrooms tend to take on an aquatic feel of some kind. The problem is that overuse of blue as a base color can actually make a room "feel" cold. Why not experiment with warmer colors such as yellow, orange and terracotta? These can make even the dingiest bathroom feel very snug and cosy. The important thing is to create the bathroom you've always wanted - with no pre-conceived notions. Let your imagination and creativity run wild and create a bathroom that is truly you!

Rugs the classic choice

It is history and centuries of craftsmanship woven together, spread out in the middle of your living room floor. It could be a magnificent colored canvas that speaks of age and timelessness, adding a breath of the classic to the modern structure that is your home. Kings and queens could have reclined on one such rug at one time, while the secrets its making remain closely guarded among the tribesmen working quietly in the remotest regions of what is now known as the carpet capital of the world – Iran. Carpets take years to weave one, and it is all done meticulously excruciatingly by hand. It is made of authentic natural wool, silk, cotton, or a combination of these materials. For these reasons, a Persian carpet has been long regarded as precious. The least expensive costs around $200, while a 4 x 6 ft piece that took a family in the city of Qum at least a couple of years to create would be sold for $4,000 - $5,000. As for antique pieces of rugs that are preserved in the museums, the figure would simply be astronomical. The modern carpets or rugs may not have the sense of history like Persian carpets, but they can just as effectively meet a homeowner’s requirements. Rugs, a smaller version of carpets – are for specific areas, with standard sizes varying from 3 x 5 ft to 9 x 12 ft. The smallest rug is similar in size to a coffee table. In effect, a rug is simply a patch over a certain perimeter. It can be spread under a particular piece of furniture, as opposed to a carpet, which may cover the entire floor. Experts say that rugs are totally made for accents, aesthetics, to soften the look of a room. They can also be used for comfort as some people find it uncomfortable to walk on a wooden floor. Rugs, as well as carpets, can provide some means of safety or heighten the sensuality factor in certain parts of the house. Today’s modern rugs are available in three yarn categories: 1. Wool It is a natural fiber. It is softer and naturally resilient. If a person step on it, it bounces back. It does not look worn after time has passed. Wool rugs also have a safety attribute that homeowners would welcome. They are naturally “flame-retardant.” If something burns them, it just scorches the surface. If a cigarette is accidentally dropped on the rug, for example, that particular spot will blacken out but it will not burn or melt. 2. Nylon It has the same flame-retarding quality, but when burned, it will turn “plasticize” and emit fumes, which could linger for some time, particularly in a closed room. 3. Polypropylene It is the least expensive among the three. It is neither as soft as flame-retardant as wool and nylon. However, there are currently treatments to make it achieve what wool and nylons can do. Modern rugs can last up to 20 years, needing only occasional cleaning. Experts recommend that it is best not to shampoo rugs right away. Just vacuum it regularly, depending on the foot traffic it is exposed to. Finally, try to keep in mind that when you are set to purchase a rug, try to ask yourself some questions like, “Where will it be used?” or “What will it be used for?” Having carefully taken all those things into account, you should then have a clear idea of the kind of rug that would make a worthy addition to your home.

Steel garage building plans an easy and savvy solution

A steel garage is a perfect addition to any home. Steel garage doubles as a shelter for your vehicle, storage for tools and equipment, and can even serve as a working space for a do-it-yourselfer. Steel garages have become a favorite among savvy homeowners, as they are flexible, easy to build and very affordable. With a steel garage, you can store one vehicle or even a truck or a boat, even though you cannot accommodate a guest apartment or an office there. In any case, you can always choose a garage building plan that suits your needs without sacrificing space or look of your property. When built according to garage building plans, a steel garage can cost you up to 40% less than conventional garages. With a steel garage, you can add a roof of your choice, install the doors and windows right where you want them, and of course, you can pick materials you can afford. When picking a garage building plan, you must decide what your family needs. Would that be a two-car garage or a simple tool shed? With a clear idea in mind, take a look at your property and find a suitable space. You need to make sure that the garage has an accessible driveway and connection to the house for water and electricity. Avoid damp areas, if your property has them. To find the balance in form and function, you can add a steel garage to the side of your house. In fact, most garages today are attached to the house. Check your building permits and local building codes to make sure you don’t violate any of them. Steel garages are fairly easy to assemble, but even with the simplest plan, you need to consider if you have enough time and expertise to build the garage by yourself, or maybe you need to hire a contractor to finish the job. As for the tools, most of them you might already have. If not, you can always rent them instead of buying. The garage building plan will list all the tools you need. Expert constructors recommend having all tools on site before beginning construction. Steel garage building begins with precise marking of the excavation area. Most likely you will need a contractor to excavate the area and build the garage foundation with anchor bolts enclosed. When the foundation is ready, you can raise walls. Before lifting the steel sheets into place, make sure the bottom is correctly positioned. At this stage ensure you have some help with lifting and holding the wall in place while fixing it in. The roof must be built immediately after you have finished constructing the walls to avoid any weather damage inside the steel garage. Roof trusses will sustain loads only when they are vertical. Carefully lift the trusses and set them in place. Now you are ready to add roof sheathing. Polyurethane or particleboard is the most common material. Steel garage building plans allow you to build exactly the garage you have in mind to fit in perfectly in whatever style home you have. Best of all, complete steel garage building plans are available for any project with blueprints and detailed walkthrough for every stage of the construction.

Farm kitchen sink

I grew up on a farm in the 40's, and one of the most pleasant things in our lives was sitting around the kitchen, which was the center of the household. Mom was an excellent cook, and I remember well the old farm kitchen sink, which was always a focal point. Currently there are three primary types of kitchen sinks: self-rimming, under mount, and farm. Self-rimming, or drop-in sinks, sit on top of the counter top. This is the least attractive sink option, and the least practical, as the countertops cannot be wiped off directly into the sink. The rim prevents this from happening smoothly. Food particles get stuck between the sink and the counter top and breed bacteria and mold, which can, in turn attract pests. Farm sinks are the most pleasing of all kitchen sinks. My mother had a one piece sink with high back that was a central part of the kitchen. She could do her canning, have room for supplies, and yet not need a great deal of counter space in the kitchen to hold other items. We had the sink, stove, and the kitchen table in our farm home. It was all we needed. Farm sinks are an entire sink unit which intentionally breaks the flow of the counter top as an appliance would. They have a finished front wall which leads directly up and over into the basin of the sink. Farm sinks are made of many materials. but the most attractive ones are made of granite, marble, or travertine. The rock travertine is a natural chemical precipitate of carbonate minerals; typically aragonite, but often recrystallized to or primary calcite; which is deposited from the water of mineral springs (especially hot springs) or streams saturated with calcium carbonate. When pure, travertine is white, but often is brown to yellow due to impurities. For the heavily-used kitchen, granite farm sinks are the most practical. Sinks are getting more attention today, not only as design elements, but as practical features. My wife loves anything shabby chic, and we have been looking for a farm kitchen sink for our loft. We live in a 110 year old livery stable, and it is my heart's desire. We are fortunate enough to have the original hardwood floors, with all the "medals of honor" of bygone years, and a great kitchen that suits my need as an experienced chef. There is the possibility that you don't have enough room for the sink that you want. In this case, a bump-out can be built. A bump-out is where the counter top and cabinet at the sink extend several inches away from the wall, out into the kitchen, to provide a bit more space for the sink. Bump-outs can be extremely attractive, especially to highlight a particularly beautiful sink. All things considered, a farm kitchen sink is a lovely addition to any kitchen. I am a firm believer that cooking must be an experience, and one to relish. things need to be right in the home kitchen, and what better way than with a farm kitchen sink?